Discussion Topics for Today's Classroom

Posts Categorized: Company Analysis

Description: David Einhorn, president at Greenlight Capital, explains what he aims to accomplish in his proxy battle with General Motors Co. and discusses Tesla Inc.’s inability to produce a profit and a big similarity he sees between GM and Apple Inc. He speaks with Bloomberg’s David Westin on “Bloomberg Daybreak: Americas.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »

Description: Business World Columnist Holman Jenkins Jr. on why the pact is mainly about subsidies, not environmental progress. Photo credit: Getty Images. Source: MarketWatch.com – video report Date: June 01, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/opinion-journal-the-paris-climate-con/AF124BBD-86EB-40A7-A6D5-185AB8F6CC03.html Questions for discussion: What does Holman Jenkins Jr. say about the agreement? Do you think the decision to withdraw reduces the influence or… Read more »

Description: Shares of two Canadian companies were taken on a dramatic ride Wednesday in what appears to have been a mistaken reaction to a social media posting from a U.S. short-seller. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: May 31, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/news/fp-street/element-fleet-says-unaware-of-reason-as-stock-plunges-38 Questions for discussion: Explain what happened to the stock value? Is there any way to mitigate… Read more »

Description: How Brooklinen Went From Kickstarter to $20M in Sales Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: May 23, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-05-23/brooklinen-s-rise-from-kickstarter-to-20m-in-sales-video Questions for discussion: Describe the financing strategies used by management from start-up to the current level of sales. Do you think the company made any errors in judgement or should consider other methods to… Read more »

Description: Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. is expected to raise C$1.75 billion ($1.3 billion) in its initial public offering after setting the price of its shares at C$17 each, below the previous range, according to terms of the deal. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: May 17, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-24/kinder-morgan-canada-said-to-price-ipo-at-c-17-in-canadian-debut Questions for discussion: How should investors evaluate this IPO?… Read more »

Description: Amazon needs to enact a large stock split and start paying a dividend to get the Dow keepers’ attention Source: MarketWatch.com Date: May 15, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-could-stop-amazons-stock-rally-in-its-tracks-2017-04-21?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What is the concern about Amazon’s stock price as described in this article? What do you think about this argument?

Description: The ur-Brooklyn online craft marketplace is under pressure to start acting more like a conventional, shareholder-focused company. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: May 15, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-05-18/the-barbarians-are-at-etsy-s-hand-hewn-responsibly-sourced-gates Questions for discussion: What does this article say about the company and its management? What do you think of the future financial possibilities are for this company?

Description: Forbes’ third annual tally of America’s 60 most successful self-made women has a new number one, two new billionaires, a transgender woman who climbed back into the ranks after a one year absence and five newcomers. It’s a diverse group of entrepreneurs, executives and entertainers who made their fortunes in everything from makeup and… Read more »